Your All Things Plants weekly news

for December 27, 2014

This Week's Gardening Ideas:

Black Walnut Trees Are Not Your Enemy

By foraygardengirl
December 27, 2014
Black Walnut Trees Are Not Your Enemy

Trees are valuable and beautiful assets to the environment and to any landscape, and black walnut trees are no exception. They are lovely trees that provide delicious and nutritious nuts and one of the most valuable hardwoods. They are allelopathic, however, and many gardeners avoid them or get rid of them. (1,197 words - Read the full article)

Solving the Mystery of the Black Diamond Crepe Myrtle Series

By dave
December 26, 2014
Solving the Mystery of the Black Diamond Crepe Myrtle Series

This newly introduced Crepe Myrtle exploded onto the scene last year and had everyone talking about it. But is this really a new variety, or an older, already existing variety that has been repackaged and rebranded? I investigated the situation, and what I found will surprise you. (304 words - Read the full article)

Merry Christmas!!

By Trish
December 25, 2014
Merry Christmas!!

From all of the Whitingers to all of our gardening friends: Merry Christmas!

Team Natural or Team Artificial?

By Trish
December 24, 2014
Team Natural or Team Artificial?

It's Christmas Eve. Come grab a cup or glass of your beverage of choice and discuss your holiday decor with a few of your closest gardening friends! (91 words - Read the full article)

Hydrogen Peroxide for Seed Starting

By RickCorey
December 23, 2014
Hydrogen Peroxide for Seed Starting

When soaking seeds prior to germination, or when watering seedlings, use 0.1% Hydrogen Peroxide. This cleans the seed surface and discourages mold, fungus, and damping off. Drug stores sell 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, so dilute that 32:1. It is also great for plants already in the ground or in containers.

Planning, Designing and Growing a Vegetable Garden

By dave
December 22, 2014
Planning, Designing and Growing a Vegetable Garden

It's that time of year, when freezing temperatures suddenly fade away into our distant memory and we start getting that vegetable garden itch. Let's talk about vegetables - how to grow them and how to design your vegetable gardens. (3,123 words - Read the full article)

Hypertufa, the Look of Carved Stone

By goldfinch4
December 21, 2014
Hypertufa, the Look of Carved Stone

Do you like the looks of carved stone planters? Then hypertufa is for you. Here is my recipe and instructions on how to make your own unique trough, bowl, or box. (980 words - Read the full article)

The most popular images last week from our plant database:

By EdBurton:
Image from plant ID 658592
By bamira:
Image from plant ID 78302
By dirtdorphins:
Image from plant ID 87357
By EdBurton:
Image from plant ID 10194
By bootandall:
Image from plant ID 87723
By FleudeLisCanna:
Image from plant ID 544110
By Casshigh:
Image from plant ID 39383
By dirtdorphins:
Image from plant ID 661707
By FleudeLisCanna:
Image from plant ID 97006

The most popular Multi-Plant Photos from last week:

Photo by Paul2032:
Image by Paul2032
Photo by Paul2032:
Image by Paul2032
Photo by Paul2032:
Image by Paul2032
Photo by dirtdorphins:
Image by dirtdorphins
Photo by texaskitty111:
Image by texaskitty111
Photo by Paul2032:
Image by Paul2032
Photo by Paul2032:
Image by Paul2032
Photo by Paul2032:
Image by Paul2032
Photo by Paul2032:
Image by Paul2032

Noteworthy acorn tips given this week:

4 people gave for post #753344 in "Banner for December 24, 2014 by rocklady" by rocklady

3 people gave for post #753987 in "The Blooming South. Season 2014-15" by Gleni

2 people gave for a photo of Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) by dirtdorphins

2 people gave for post #753348 in "Gingerbread houses" by dave

2 people gave for post #752778 in "Best of 2014 is up!" by Xeramtheum

2 people gave for post #751523 in "Banner for December 20, 2014 by TBGDN" by TBGDN

2 people gave for post #754370 in "The Circle of Life: everything else" by dirtdorphins

2 people gave for post #752043 in "AUSSIE 1st bloom for Summer" by Leftwood

One person gave for post #753846 in "December 2014 Backyard Birds" by plantladylin

One person gave for the idea "Merry Christmas!!" by Trish

The most active threads this week:

Subject OP Area Replies
Support for a Healthy Lifestyle- WinterNewyorkritaSandbox forum74
What Sutton irises do you have and want?tveguy3Irises forum72
Happy Holidays!LestvIrises forum35
Tasco on TascoMisawa77Irises forum22
What's going on in our Winter Vegetable Gardens?NewyorkritaEdibles and Preserving forum21
Happy first day of winter !WeedwhackerAll Things Gardening forum21
Oriental Poppy 'Patty's Plum'- where to buy plants?gemini_sagePerennials forum20
Banner for December 24, 2014 by rockladyrockladySite Banners forum19
Gingerbread housesdaveTeam Natural or Team Artificial?18

Some new reviews from the ATP Green Pages:

DomehomeDee recommended SmartSeeds and wrote:

I met the owner of Smartseeds a few years back. She is a lifetime professional gardener who has developed relationships with the best sources of seed in the business. She specializes in the rare and unusual, so there is something interesting for every gardener. Lots of unusual flowers, but also some interesting veggies too. I buy every year and it's always fun to see what's new at Smartseeds.

Natalie recommended Swallowtail Garden Seeds and wrote:

I just received my first order from Swallowtail, and was amazed! I decided to order from them, due to the great reviews here, and I couldn't have been happier! I placed my order very late on Sunday, and they were shipped on Monday! I had a short list of about 10 things to order, but noticed that there was free shipping on orders over $40. I shouldn't have read that! My order far exceeded that amount, but I was thrilled anyway! The seeds were very nicely packaged. Each envelope has the plant information, and then planting instructions. The seeds were then placed either in a plastic bag inside of the little envelope, or in the case of very tiny seeds, they were put in a glassine envelope, and then in a plastic bag, and then in another envelope! Fragile seeds were sent in a small tube, which really impressed me. I was also extremely impressed with the variety of seeds that they carry, and their prices are outstanding. Their site is also great, giving you information on each plant, and how to plant it. I loved their list of deer resistant plants too. I bought a lot off of that list, and saw some things that I wouldn't have thought to buy. I really love this company!

We keep growing, because ATP is where all the excitement is these days! Check out these numbers from last week: